Hurt
at missing out on a medal at the World Championships for the first
time, MC Mary Kom tells Harish Kotian she's looking for revenge at the
upcoming London Olympics

For MC Mary Kom, her first bout at the 2012 London Olympics is going to be doubly special.
Firstly,
it will be the realization of a long-cherished dream to compete on a
big stage like the Olympics. Second, the bout is on the fifth birthday
of her twin sons Raengpe and Naidong.

"I
will be fighting my first bout at the Olympics on August 5th, which is
also the fifth birthday of my two sons. It is both a good and bad thing
for me. The good thing is that I feel it will be a lucky day for me, but
the bad thing is that I will miss both my children," Mary told Rediff.com in Mumbai, on the sidelines of an event organised by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).
"I
want to win that bout; it will be the best present for my two sons. It
is very difficult for me as a mother, because I miss them a lot. They
keep calling me a lot everyday," she added.

Image: MC Mary KomPhotographs: Hitesh Harisinghani

'I was able to analyse my opponents during the World Championships'

With 50 days to go for the Olympics, OGQ proudly announced that 14 athletes supported by them have qualified for the mega-event.

This
is the first time that women's boxing is being staged at the Olympics
and Mary is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a podium finish.

Speaking
about her preparation for the Olympics, where she will compete in the
51kg category, Mary said: "The preparations are going on well. I was
able to analyse my opponents during the World Championships. Even though
I did not win the gold, I was able to take a lot of positives from the
event which will help me in preparations for the Olympics."

Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani

'I am happy that I qualified for the London Olympics'

It was the first time in six World
Championships that Mary did not win a medal at the event. That could be
because she was fighting in a heavier weight category for the first
time. Since her preferred weight category (48 kg) was not included in
the Olympics she had to move up a level to make it to the Games.

Having
won a gold in the 45kg at the 2002 World Championships, three gold in
the 46kg at the 2005, 2006 and 2008 editions and a gold in the 48kg in
the 2010 event, Manipur's 'Mother Mary' was disappointed.
But she prefers to look at the positive side of things.

"I
was very hurt that I didn't win the gold medal at the World
Championships. I was very upset that I didn't win a medal, because in
every championship before this I won a gold medal on five previous
occasions. I think I was unlucky to not get a medal, but, at the same
time, I am happy that I qualified for the London Olympics," she said,
adding "I hope I can make it up by winning a medal there."

Photographs: Uttam Ghosh

'The only mental training for me is praying to God'

The 29-year-old is hoping to channelize her aggression and unleash it on her opponents in the ring.
"I am very, very angry and I hope to remove this anger on all my opponents at the Olympics," she declared.

Indeed, she is doing everything to achieve that end. But anything special?

"I
don't believe in mental training. I just do the normal physical
training and my normal boxing training. The only mental training for me
is praying to God," she said.

Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani

'I am a big fan of Muhammad Ali'

Asked what inspired her to take up boxing as
a young girl, at a time when women's boxing was not even heard of in
the country, she replied: "I am a big fan of Muhammad Ali; I took up
boxing when I was small because of him. I love his style, his footwork
in the ring and everything else that he did."
She
is quick to thank Olympic Gold Quest for their boundless support in
ensuring that she goes to London in the best of shape, physically and
mentally.
"I think getting so much support from Olympic Gold
Quest and love from all the Indians fans is a big motivation for me to
do well at the Olympics."